<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 4
TO
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
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(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share
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(Title of Class of Securities)
40218L 30 5
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(CUSIP Number)
Carol A. McCoy, 2001 Third Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233 (205) 325-4243
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
December 29, 1998
-----------------
(Date of Event which Requires Filing
of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box.
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement____. (A fee is
not required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on file
reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1, and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7.)
Note: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed
with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to
be sent.
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
(Continued on following page(s))
Page 1 of 4 Pages
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CUSIP NO. 925391 10 4
____________________________________________________________________________
(1) Names of Reporting Persons. . . . . . . . . . . . Torchmark Corporation
S.S. or I.R.S. Identification
Numbers of Above Persons. . . . . . . . . . . . . 63-0780404
____________________________________________________________________________
(2) Check the Appropriate Box if
a Member of a Group
(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
___________________________________________________________________________
(3) SEC Use Only. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
___________________________________________________________________________
(4) Source of Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
___________________________________________________________________________
(5) Check if Disclosure of Legal
Proceedings is Required
Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e). . . . . . . . . .
___________________________________________________________________________
(6) Citizenship or Place of Organization. . . . . . . Delaware
___________________________________________________________________________
Number of (7) Sole Voting Power. . . . . . . . . 4,450,000
Shares Bene- _______________________________________
ficially (8) Shared Voting Power. . . . . . . . . . .0
Owned by ________________________________________
Each Report- (9) Sole Dispositive Power . . . . .4,450,000
ing Person ________________________________________
With (10) Shared Dispositive Power. . . . . . . 0
___________________________________________________________________________
(11) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by
Each Reporting Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,450,000
____________________________________________________________________________
(12) Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11)
Excludes Certain Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . .
____________________________________________________________________________
(13) Percent of Class Represented by
Amount in Row (11). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23.9%
___________________________________________________________________________
(14) Type of Reporting Person. . . . . . . . . . . . .HC
___________________________________________________________________________
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Item 1. Security and Issuer.
Common Stock of Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
3760 River Run Drive
Birmingham, AL 35243
Item 2. Identity and Background.
Torchmark Corporation, a Delaware corporation
2001 Third Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Torchmark Corporation ("TMK")is an insurance and diversified financial
services holding company.
(d) No.
(e) No.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
Not applicable.
TMK has no current plans or proposals which relate to or would result in
any of the matters listed in Items 4(a) through (j), inclusive, of Schedule
13D.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
(a) TMK is the record owner of 4,450,000 shares (23.9%) of Vesta's common
stock.
(b) TMK has sole voting and dispositive power over the Vesta shares it
holds of record.
(c) On December 29, 1998, TMK sold 680,000 shares of Vesta's common stock
in a private placement transaction to SouthTrust Corporation for $4.75
per share.
(d) None.
(e) Not applicable.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships
with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
Not applicable.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits
None.
3
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SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of the undersigned's knowledge and
belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this
statement is true, complete and correct.
TORCHMARK CORPORATION
By: /s/ Carol A. McCoy
-----------------------------------
Carol A. McCoy
Its: Associate Counsel & Secretary
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